The Greatest of These – Part 2e: Love Is Not Puffed Up
I Corinthians 13:4
When we last left this series, having looked at love through the eyes of St. Paul, we had discovered that love is patient, kind, not jealous, and does not brag. This next clause in St. Paul’s essay has struck me with some surprise. When I notice the words “puffed up”, I immediately assume that the modern translators have inserted a more contemporary term to replace some ancient, antique one which may not be understood by today’s readers.
However, I find myself wrong …. yet again! It is true that some versions (American Standard and Revised Standard) choose the terms “arrogant or proud” in this phrase. But it made me wonder, so we are off again to tread the word study pathway.
In writing to the Corinthian Church, the Apostle uses the Greek word “phusioutai” from the root, “phuisoo”. The basic meaning of the word is to “puff up, blow up or inflate”. Being found only in St. Paul’s epistles, it is primarily used metaphorically in the sense of being puffed up with pride. He points to that problem in us human beings of being “puffed up” in attitude, self-consciousness, and conduct. While this can be expressed in numerous ways – speech, posture, conduct, etc. – it emanates primarily from our minds. That is, we just think we are better than those around us, or we can decide who is better than others.
Turning to St. Paul’s letter to the Christians in Corinth
I Cor. 4:6 – “that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against another”.
I Cor. 4:18-20 – “Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly … and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”
I Cor. 8:1 – “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies”.
We might also benefit by taking a trip back into the old wells in the Old Testament. There, we find that the comparable term in the Hebrew is quite interesting.
The primary root, “naphach” carries precisely the same meaning as “phusioo” above. The prophet Isaiah uses the word in his warnings to Israel of God’s impending judgement, “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire … “ (Isaiah 54:16). Likewise, Ezekiel, sending the Lord’s message of judgment to Jerusalem, writes, “As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace to blow on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you” (Ezekiel 22:20).
The prophet Jeremiah utilizes a related term, “mappuach”, which is actually the word for a bellows – that device used in a forge to blow on a fire, making it larger and hotter.
The examples of “puffed up” persons are many, but you may recall just a few: Pharoah (Exodus 5:2), Naaman (II Kings 5:11), Uzziah (II Chronicles 26:16), Hezekiah (II Chronicles 32:25), and Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30).
Certainly, not all puffing or blowing is harmful and destructive, but it often produces such effects. Most will remember from your childhood the story of the big bad wolf who huffed and puffed and blew two little pigs’ houses away. In like manner, the person who is puffed up with pride may behave like a bellows and cause small flames to become roaring fires, damaging relationships and inflicting harm on those about him.
Instead, perhaps we would do well to “exhale” that air of arrogance within us in a manner that fosters peace and joy in those about us. St. Paul speaks of this to the Ephesian church: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). This may have been in David’s mind also when he wanted to exhale any pridefulness within him, “Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
Surely, we all are aware of the sinfulness and personal harm from pride, arrogance, etc. in our lives and we strive to rid ourselves of those destructive effects. May we be reminded that we, together, have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) and that “our faith must not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Corinthians 2:5). Therefore, as we love God and one another, “In lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).
“Love is not puffed up”.
Fr. Andrew
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